Turkish protesters storm Starbucks, Burger King outlets after Haniyeh’s killing

Following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, widespread demonstrations erupted across Turkey. Hundreds of protesters stormed Starbucks and Burger King outlets in the Batman province.

Several civil society organisations staged protests throughout Turkey to condemn the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the assassination of Haniyeh in a missile attack in Tehran on July 31.

Thousands of protesters, led by political and religious parties, rallied in support of Palestinians, chanting slogans such as "Salute Hamas and continue resisting" and "Zionist dogs will pay."

The protests turned violent in some areas, with demonstrators targeting multinational food chains like Starbucks and Burger King, accusing them of supporting Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

Turkish media reported that groups of protesters vandalised stores and assaulted customers before police intervened to restore order, leading to several arrests.

⚡️ Angry Turks attack and destroy a Starbucks branch in Batman province, Turkey, in protest of the company's support for Israel. pic.twitter.com/sjGbiVxHtT

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) July 31, 2024

Like rest of the Muslim world, American and pro-Israeli brands are facing boycotts and criticism in Turkey, particularly since a boycott campaign intensified after October 7, 2023, in response to Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a day of mourning on Friday in honour of the Hamas chief's death, calling the assassination a "shameful act." Turkish opposition parties also condemned the killing.

Ismail Haniyeh will be buried in Doha following funeral prayers at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque today.